Model Matchup: Specialized Turbo Vado vs. Turbo Levo Alloy
Written by: Rémy Rossi | December 31, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
Vado is Italian for go. Levo is Latin for left or ancient Greek for lion. Etymology is out of the way, let’s compare these two popular Specialized e-Bikes!
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
How do you like your eggs? Poaching city streets or scrambling down trails? The Specialized Turbo Vado and Turbo Levo are two different flavors of e-Bike designed for wildly different types of riding. I’ll break down the characteristics of these popular electric bikes available on Upway.
What is the Specialized Turbo Vado?
The Turbo Vado is Specialized’s dedicated hybrid electric bike for dashing to your destination and boosted joyrides. The brand calls it a “high-performance transportation e-Bike” which is essentially a combination of hybrid and commuter styles. I recently wrote about why I recommend the Specialized Turbo Vado for weekend explorations.
The upright, relaxed frame is comfortable along with a suspension seatpost and front suspension to soak up bumps. It comes with fenders and a rear rack (commuters rejoice) and a custom-built mid-drive motor from Specialized. Bike paths, city streets, light gravel— the Turbo Vado gets you from Point A to Point B with class (specifically, Class 3 class).
The standard Turbo Vado may be outshone by its lightweight sibling, the Turbo Vado SL model. The SL version can cruise to 28 mph for up to 80 miles and is 40% lighter than the average e-Bike. It’s noticeably slimmer and has a non-removable battery design to save space and weight. If you’re looking for a lightweight city e-Bike, the Turbo Vado SL is one of our absolute favorites.
The upright, relaxed frame is comfortable along with a suspension seatpost and front suspension to soak up bumps. It comes with fenders and a rear rack (commuters rejoice) and a custom-built mid-drive motor from Specialized. Bike paths, city streets, light gravel— the Turbo Vado gets you from Point A to Point B with class (specifically, Class 3 class).
The standard Turbo Vado may be outshone by its lightweight sibling, the Turbo Vado SL model. The SL version can cruise to 28 mph for up to 80 miles and is 40% lighter than the average e-Bike. It’s noticeably slimmer and has a non-removable battery design to save space and weight. If you’re looking for a lightweight city e-Bike, the Turbo Vado SL is one of our absolute favorites.
What is the Specialized Turbo Levo?
Take a turn toward the trails and you’ll find the Specialized Turbo Levo electric mountain bike. This full-suspension e-MTB boasts enduro specs to withstand the steepest and chunkiest routes on the mountain, including a 160mm fork and 150mm rear shock from RockShox. The custom mid-drive motor provides plenty of push on the climbs and smooth pedal assist. I’ll be comparing the alloy version of the Levo which has balanced geometry and great value compared to the fancier (and lighter) carbon frame option.
Intended use and terrain
If these two Specialized e-Bikes were magically transformed into humans, they probably wouldn’t be friends. They come from the same family tree but they just don’t travel in the same circles— the Vado sticks to streets and bike paths while the Levo keeps to off-road terrain. But maybe they hang out at bike shops together.
The Specialized Turbo Vado is a great choice for city riders, commuters, and recreational riders looking for a boost on smoother terrain. The classic hybrid design can take on all sorts of urban adventures and recreational getaways. In contrast, the Levo adventure e-Bike is made to have fun where the asphalt stops and the tricky trails begin. The long-travel setup is made for enduro riders and e-MTBers with eyes on big terrain and remote routes.
The Specialized Turbo Vado is a great choice for city riders, commuters, and recreational riders looking for a boost on smoother terrain. The classic hybrid design can take on all sorts of urban adventures and recreational getaways. In contrast, the Levo adventure e-Bike is made to have fun where the asphalt stops and the tricky trails begin. The long-travel setup is made for enduro riders and e-MTBers with eyes on big terrain and remote routes.
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Motor and pedal assist
The Turbo Vado 4.0 is powered by a Specialized 2.0 mid-drive motor rated at 250W with a top speed of 28 mph. That custom-built motor delivers Class 3 pedal assist so you can keep up with traffic or zoom along with extra zest. There’s 70 Nm of torque and a smooth boost throughout the pedal assist levels— no throttle option here.
The Turbo Levo Alloy is a Class 1 e-Bike like most electric mountain bikes out there. The Specialized 2.2 Custom RX Trail Tuned mid-drive motor tops out at 20 mph so you’re allowed on most trails that are open to e-Bikes. Compared to the Vado, the motor has the same 250W power rating but increases the maximum torque to 90 Nm for those tough inclines.
Both electric bikes have integrated batteries around the 700Wh mark for plenty of range. The exact range on a single charge will depend on many factors such as rider weight, battery health, terrain, and assist level.
Looking for a Specialized electric bike? We've got you.
What's the best deal on a high-end electric bike?
No matter which flavor of Specialized e-Bike you choose, Upway offers a tantalizing menu of deals and discounts. For riders looking for a used electric bike or a like-new model, we have a huge selection of new and reconditioned e-Bikes for big savings. All Upway e-Bikes are professionally inspected, serviced, and come with a one-year warranty. Save thousands on high-end models so you can hop on that e-Bike you’ve been dreaming of
Key Takeaways
- Turbo Vado: A hybrid e-bike perfect for city commutes and recreational rides with a Class 3 motor and a comfortable design.
- Turbo Levo: An electric mountain bike made for rugged trails, featuring enduro specs and powerful off-road performance.
- Find Your Match: Shop Upway’s selection of inspected, like-new e-bikes with savings and a one-year warranty.
